G-L

	Galadriel (Spain): In 1985, through a common friend (Angel Romero), Jesus Filardi and David Aladro were introduced. In that meeting they discovered they shared similar ideas and musical goals, thus decided to start a group. Angel recruited David Aladro (keyboards) , Jesus invited Manolo Pancorbo (Guitars) and David convinced Oscar Perez (Drums) to join in creating what later would be known as Galadriel. The groups started rehearsing and creating but felt another guitarist was needed so Manolo Macia joined them. Under the name of The Magic Of Fire and using theatrical resources, in 1986 they gave their first appearance. Their sound was a rich blend of the dramatic complex melodic progressive with symphonic tendencies and a strong folk influence. Because Jesus was a fanatic of fantastic/epic stories, he was looking for a name that captured the poetical mysterious atmosphere they wanted to create. When he heard form another Spanish group called Galadriel, he immediately visualized it as the ideal name for the group, so Jesus contacted the keyboardist and obtained permission to use the name and..... Galadriel found its name. In the end of 1986 they recorded a demo entitled: Escalinata and the group started to gain popularity and maturity. By 1987 Oscar left the group and was replaced by a brazilian drummer: Cidon Trindade that joined a week before the group recorded "Summit" a cut that was to be included in a compilation album of european progressive groups. The group felt they needed an album to expand their music to a wider audience so they started recording new songs. By 1988 Pablo leaves Galadriel and is replaced by Manola Macia (Guitars and Bass) and Alfredo Garcia Demestres (ex Heimdal) joins in to add diversity through violins and his expertise with keyboards and guitars. Manolo left the group by late 88 and a new bassist joins in Marco Dos Santos However, Manolo's influence and presence in the material that constituted the first CD is tangible. After so many changes and multiple recordings the group releases "Muttered promises from an ageless pond" which included the track "Summit" that was never released. The album received excellent reviews and their music was considered inspirational with clean and beautiful instrumental techniques and the group gain international recognition. For their second album,the group included: Jesus Filardi : Vocals and keyboards, Manolo Pancorbo: Guitars and keyboards, Cidon Trindade; Drums and percussion, Marco Do Santos: Bass, and Alfredo G Demestres: Violin and keyboards. By the time "Mindscapers" was recorded, the group was composed by Jesus Filardi : Vocals and keyboards, Jose Bautista : Warr Guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, Alex Román : Keyboards and backing vocals, Renato di Prinzio : Acoustic & electronic drums and Nacho Serrano : Guitars. Even though the group has been compared to Yes or Rush, they have created a unique sound and style that remains up to date. Discography: Muttered Promises from an Ageless Pond. Chasing The Dragonfly Mindscapers . Galadriel Homepage Galie (Mexico): Keyboard based progressive music. They sing in English (with accent) but the titles are in Spanish. The sound quality suggests is an independent recording (as most in Mexico). Discography: Galie Goma (Spain): Nice instrumental group with a great combination of synthesizers, saxophone and guitars in a very jazzy style with strong Spanish influence. Discography: 14. De Abril Gotic (Spain): Symphonic band with lots of flutes, keyboards/pianos and a strong Spanish sound with great improvisations. Sometimes considered the Spanish Camel because of their melodic instrumental pieces. Discography: Escenas (Scenes) Granada (Spain): Founded by Carlos Carcamo: Keyboards, violin, flutes and voice, Michael Vorter Flich: Guitars, Antonio Garcia Oteyza: Bass and Juan Bono: Drums, percussions and voice in the 80's. They have three albums: Hablo de Una Tierra, considered the best is a beautiful example of symphonic rock and considered a collectors item. The two other albums have new musicians with only Carlos Carcamo (being of the original group) and Carlos Basso: Guitars, Julio Blasco: Bass, Antonio Rodriguez, drums and percussions, Joaquin Blanco: Bagpipe. "Espana Ano '75 and Valle Del Pas remain within the venue of symphonic rock. The use of bagpipes and other Spanish folk instruments give the distinctive sound to the band. The moog and mellotron sounds predominate being balanced by the guitars and a strong support form the bass and drums. Occasionally it resembles Camel. Discography: Hablo de Una Tierra (I Speak of a Land) Espana Ano '75 (Spain Year 75) Valle Del Pas Grupo Sintesis (Cuba): Magnificent Cuban group formed by Miguel Porcel: Vocals, guitars and composer, Jose Maria Vitier: Keyboards and composer, Carlos Alfonso: Composer, Ele Valdez: Keyboards and vocals, Silvia Acea: Vocals and organ, Eliseo Pino: Acoustic guitars and vocals, Fernando Calveiro: Electric guitars, Francisco Padilla: Drums and Enrique Lafuente: Bass. They depart from the common venue of " Salsa and Nueva Trova" and create a unique style beautifully mastered in the best of Italian/German progressive groups. Their album "En busca de una nueva flor" was released just after 3 months of birth and they incorporate classical patterns to distinctive cuban sounds and masterful utilization of keyboards and voices to create symphonic poetry. A must in any collection. Discography: En Busca de una Nueva Flor (In search of a new flower) Guadalquivir (Spain): More in the jazz-fusion style with free flowing keyboards and nice melodic rhythmic section. Discography: Guadalquivir Camino del Concierto (Concert's road) Despues del Silencio (After the silence) Harnakis (Spain): Excellent neo progressive symphonic band with Spanish influence and great vocals (male and female) and nice lyrics. Discography: Numb Eyes: The Soul Revelation Ibio (Spain): Excellent Spanish group from the late 70's that combines Spanish folk music with progressive rock , nice vocals and beautiful acoustic guitars. Discography: Cuevas De Altamira (Altamira's caves) Iceberg (Spain): Formed by Joaquin Sunyer (Max Suñé): Guitars, Josep Mas (Kitflus): Keyboards and Pianos, Jordi Calemer: Drums, Prim Sancho: Bass. Acknowledged as the best Spanish progressive group of the 70's. Their style is definitely jazzier but with continuous conversations between the guitars and keyboards in a mixture of fusion and symphonic sounds, masterful drumming and skillful bass lines. The only album with vocals was the first one, but as with most groups they were a minus. Discography: Tutankhamon Coses Nostres Sentiments En Directe Arc En Ciel Iconoclasta (Mexico): The best of the best Mexican progressive group and the best known abroad. Probably the only group in Mexico that has survived the harsh musical scene where other groups have just disappeared or gave up for the money. Founded in 1980 with Ricardo Moreno: Guitars, Ricardo Ortegon: Guitars, Rosa Flora Moreno: Keyboards, Victor Baldovinos: Drums and Nohemi d'Rubin: Bass. Initially a concert group, they created their own studio and released their first album in 1983: The self titled Iconoclasta, a rich blend of classical music, jazz and electronic/progressive music. Their second album: Reminiscencias brought international attention to the group and their third Suite Mexicana was a conceptual album based upon mexican classical music composers blended with prehispanic sounds; the result a nice progressive sound released in 1987 for the Mexican Independence celebration. By this time Rosa and Nohemi left the group with a compilation album released as a farewell. With their departure a search for replacements started. Since Ricardo was also playing in another super group: Praxis (that broke up at the same time in 1988), he invited Praxis guitarist: Hector Hernandez to join Iconoclasta; Alfredo Rigosa took over the bass and Ricardo switch to take command of the keyboards. With the new members new format they released "Adolescencia croncia" started a european tour where they won the international progressive contest "Exposure". The next album "En busca del sentido" earned the best album award and multiple awards followed: First place in the best international act, best group, Ricardo was nominated best international composer, Victor as best drummer and Alfredo as best bassist. Alfredo leaves the group in 1990, Juan Carlos Gutierrez took his place and Iconoclasta prepared for a concert in the most prestigious theater in Mexico City which was televised and recorded and released as "En Concierto". Once again a new changes occur when Juan leaves the group and Nohemi returns for the Anniversary concert in Tlatelolco while they continue to prepare their next album. In 1991 once again Hector leaves and the group remains as a quartet releasing "La reencarnacion de Maquiavelo" a concept album which shows Iconoclasta at its best. The group releases what is their latest album in 1994: " De Todos Uno" showing a mature group that in spite of commercial pressures remains at the forefront of progressive music. On June 4, 1999 they open for Gong during their presentation in Mexico and currently are working on their new CD "La Granja Humana" (The Human Farm) Discography: Iconoclasta Reminiscencias (Reminiscence) Suite Mexicana (Mexican Suite) Soliloquio Siete Anos (7 years, compilation) Adolescencia Cronica (Chronic Adolescence) En Busca Del Sentido (In search of meaning) En Concierto (Live) La Reencarnacion De Maquiavelo (Machiavelo's reincarnation) De Todos Uno (From all one) Imán Califato Independiente (Spain): Late 70's Spanish band formed by Kiko Guerrero: Drums and percussion, Urbano Moraes: Bass, percussion and backing vocals, Manuel Rodriguez: Guitars and vocals and Marcos Mantero: Keyboards. Their style is a mixture of jazz fusion, latin/folk and morocco influence with smooth keyboards, solid rhythm section alternating harmonically with solo electric guitars. The bass is played beautifully and functions as a lead melody instrument, even while keeping rhythm creating tasteful melodies while the guitar and keyboards solo. Discography: Imán Califato Independiente Camino Del Aguila (Eagle's road) Invisible (Argentina) Formed by Luis Alberto Spinetta (Almendra, Pescado Rabioso, Spinetta Jade, Solista) in guitars and vocals; Carlos Rufino (Machi) Bass and backing vocals, Hector Lorenzo (Pomo) in drumms. One of the best argentinian groups. Their sound is progressive, full of poetry created by the genious lyricism of Luis Alberto Spinetta. The groups passed by three eras: the first onewith more of a rough sound inherited from Spinettas's first group (Pescado Rabioso) with more of a hard rock style. During the second period the lyrics predominate, as a result creating a more conceptual work inspired in Carl Jung and Richard Wilhem's: El Secreto de La Flor de Oro (The secret of the golden flower). Their third and current stage is full of urban sounds in which they have added the use of other instruments such as thebandoneon. Discography: Invisible (1974) Durazno Sangrando (1975) El Jardín de los Presentes (1976 Itoiz (Spain): Superb Spanish group with jazz, progressive and folk influences with nice Vasque lyrics from the late 70's. Beautiful arrangements and interactions of wind instruments with keyboards and guitars. Discography: Itoiz Ezequiel Alkolea Jorge Reyes (Mexico): Born in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico, began his musical studies at the National School of Music in Mexico and then continued in Germany where he studied jazz improvisation with Herb Heller. His musical studies took him through India and the middle eastern where he learned their traditional instruments and percussions and had a strong influence in his career. Ex member of Chac Mool and influenced by Antonio Zepeda, his style is characterized by sounds from prehispanic/prehistoric instruments combined with modern digital sampling techniques. His live concerts are a beautiful and enigmatic mixture of lights and sound. The influence of Zepeda's music and the many styles he captured during his travels around the world allowed him to create a unique and distinctive sound by the introduction of a new form of percussive instrument: The use of his own body. He has given multiple concerts in different archeological areas such as Teotihuacan, Templo Mayor and Chichen Itza . His concerts at the "Espacio Escultorico with dancer and choreographer Regina Quintero are famous and a tradition in Mexico particularly for the celebration of the Summer solstice. In 1991, he organized the "Encuentro International de Musicas Visuales" (International Encounter of Visual Music) in collaboration with the National Autonomus University of Mexico (UNAM) with participation of musicians from Venezuela, Germany, Spain, United States and Mexico. This festival is now an annual event. Jorge has participated in multiple festivals in Spain, Germany, Yugoslavia, US and Venezuela such as the Klang Art Festival in Germany and the Festival de Musica Electronica (Electronic Music Festival) in Venezuela. His first two albums definitely in the realm of space/progressive music with prehispanic instruments. Supported by Edward Medina: Percussions, Arturo Meza: Guitars, prehispanic instruments and mayan lyrics in his first solo album: Ek-tunkul. The second one a collaborative effort with Antonio Zepeda: " A la izquierda del colibri" has some nahuatl lyrics taken from one of the great Aztec kings: Netzahualcoyotl. It is a beautiful album with a well-balanced combination of synthesizers and prehispanic instruments; however the vocals are a minus. The rest of his albums are ethnic/prehispanic music with themes related to spiritual/sacred thought of ancient cultures and astrological/cosmic unity of men and the universe. Discography: Ek-Tunkul A la Izquierda del Colibri (obtained an honorific mention by the Science Academy of the USSR for its contribution to the Latin American Musical genre) Comala (Considered the best work in electro-acoustic music) Viento de Navajas Musica Prehispanica Cronica de Castas Bajo el Sol Jaguar (Collaborative effort with the Spanish guitar player Suso Saiz) Memorias Suspendidas, Dioses Olvidados (with Suso Saiz and the american musician Steve Roach) El Costumbre (Huichol music with was Steve Roach, Juan Carlos Lopez and Elmar Schulte) Assemblage (volume one) Jose Luis Fernandez Ledezma Q (Mexico): Ex keyboard player for Nirgal Vallis shows his masterful musical skills and multi-instrument skills in his solo career. His sound is definitely progressive but an intelligent use of keyboards and harmonics mixed with ethnic sounds (that do not dominate the sound). His music resembles Mike Oldfield or Vangelis sometimes, however his sound is unique and personal. He is joined by a host of great musicians such as Alquimia, Alejandro Schmidt, Julio Sandoval, German Bringas y Francisco Delhahay amongst others. Discography: Motivos para perderse (motifs to go astray) Extractos (Extracts) Lenguas muertas (Dead tongues) Kromlech(Mexico): The group was formed in march 1997 with Jesus Lomeli (Bass and acoustic guitars), Fernando Barajas (keyboards), Carlos Ruiz (Electric guitar) and Leonardo Patigno (Drums). The name of the group has celtic roots and means Crown of Stones (which is the name used for monuments such as Stonehenge). Their first concert was in August 97 at the 2nd Rock Forum in Teocelo, Veracruz, Mexico. They have had appearances in several Cultural houses, the records store chain Tower Records and Museums in Mexico City. They were the opening group for Celcilia Toussaint's concert in January 1998. Their music is a mixture of symphonic prog, Italian prog and some Dark and Goth, for wich they have been known as the Gothic Progressive band. *Kromlech Homepage* Labanda (Spain): Instrumental folk-prog group with masterful utilization and blending of keyboards, bagpipes, violin and mandolin in the best of Spanish tradition. Discography: Labanda Fiesta Campestre (Rockmeria) Rural Tour Danza de Entrenzado (Entweengled's dance) No Todo Es Seda (Not all is silk) La Banda Del Lago (Spain): Instrumental trio, with guitar, synthesizers, flutes and mandolin. They create a very romantic and free flowing music. Discography: Cuestion De Tiempo (A Matter of Time) La Maquina De Hacer Pajaros (Argentina) Progressive-symphonic supergroup that appeared in the mid 70's with mostly instrumental themes dominated by keyboards and sinthesizer with frequent changes in rhythms and rich melodic style. Formed by Charly García (Sui Generis, Seru Giran) on keyboards and vocals; Gustavo Bazterrica on guitars and backing vocals; Carlos Cutaia (Pescado Rabioso) on synthesizers; Oscar Moro (Los Gatos, Seru Giran) drums and José Luis Fernandez Bass. Discography: La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros (1976) Películas (1977) La Tribu (Mexico): Another group influenced by Antonio Zepeda that has generated the most beautiful examples of prehispanic music, reviving the myths and traditions of the Prehispanic Mexico. Their musical quality took them to the creation of the music for the lights and sound show for Chichen Itza (Yucatan, Mexico). La Tribu is Alejandro and David Mendez, Agustin Pimentel, Gilberto Chavez, Ramiro Ramirez y collaborations from Alejandro Gonzalez. Something unique to La Tribu is their interest in educating the listener since they include descriptions of the Prehispanic Mexico, the mayan religious thoughts and the characteristics of the prehispanic instruments. Discography: Mazehual Los Brujos del Agua (The water's witch doctors) Los Canarios (Spain): Masterful and incredibly beautiful work based on Vivaldi's "The Four seasons" Los Canarios created an outstanding interpretation of a classical piece (much more refined than Emerson, Lake and Palmer's) . Their album is considered "The best rock adaptation of classical music " and it is a mixture of multiple keyboards (mellotrons, synths, acoustic and electric pianos) and powerful vocals (choral and opera style) . Discography: Ciclos (Cycles) Los Jaivas (Chile): Influenced by the musical movement of the 60's, Los Jaivas created an original mixture of Folk/rock combining electric and acoustic chilean instruments. Affected by the political changes of their country, they moved to Argentina and then France where they were influenced by a, broader and richer musical environment. As a result of these changes they developed masterful symphonic pieces with a unique and distinctive sound. Discography: Volantin (Roundabout) Todos Juntos (All together) La Ventana (The window) Los Jaivas La Cancion Del Sur (Southern song) Alturas De Macchu Picchu (Macchu picchu's heights) Retrospectivo Aconcagua (retrospective Aconcagua) Los Jaivas En Argentina (Los Jaivos in Argentina) Odas A Violeta Parra (Ode to Violeta Parra) Luis Llach (Spain): Master prolific multi-instrumentist with a mixture of folk, progressive and new age that creates a very interesting sound. Discography: Luis Llach a l'Olympia I si canto trist Viatge a Itaca Les seves primeres cancons Campanadas a mort Elmeu amic el mar Maremar Astres Sommiem Verges 50 I amb el somriure, la revolta T'estimo Geographia Torna Aviat Luis Perez (Mexico): Influenced by Zepeda and Reyes, uses the typical combination of synth and prehispanic instruments (mainly percussive) Discography: En El Ombligo De La Luna (In the navel of the Moon).